Door hinge assembly



Jan. l2, 1943. v1'. F. ANDERSON y DOOR HINGEv ASSEMBLY Filed April 26, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .M www ATTORNEY Jan. 12, 1943. l r. F. ANDERSON v2,307,753

Doon HINGE ASSEMBLY Filed April 26, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 12, 1943 UNTD STATES noon HINGE ASSEMBLY Application April 2e, 194.1, serial No. 390,445

11 claims; (o1. 1c 12s) This invention relates to a door hinge assembly, and more particularly to a door hinge designed for universal application to either right or left hand swinging doors and which may also be used in association with doors vertically movable under the induence of an associated gravity hinge.

In providing doors for toilet stalls and other cubicles or enclosures, it is often desirable to provide hinges therefor which serve to return the door to either open or closed position when restraint on the door is released. A gravity hinge is commonly used for this purpose, which operates to raise the door when swung open or closed so that when the door is released the force of gravity will permit the gravity hingeto operate to swing the door in the opposite direction. Such gravity hinges are generally placed adjacent the bottom edge of the door and require a companion hinge adjacent the top of the door, which is so constructed as to permit free vertical movement of the door.

One type of top companion hinge heretofore used comprises a pintle portion which is attached to and projects upwardly from the upper edge of the door and a pintle-receiving socket portion which is attached to that portion of the adjacent door frame or pilaster which extends above the upper edge of the door. An upper companion hinge of this design cannot be used except where the door framework extends above the upper edge of the door to provide means to which the socket portion of the upper hinge may be attached and cannot be used in connection with door and door framework assemblies wherein the upper edge of the adjacent door frame or pilaster terminates at approximately the same level as the upper edge of the door.

It has been heretofore proposed to provide an upper hinge to serve as a companion hinge for a lower gravity hinge, in which the upper hinge is positioned below the top edge of the door, but in using this type of companion hinge the rear edge of the door must be notched or cut out to receive the major portion er" the upper hinge assembly. The cost of the door is substantially increased where such notches orpcut-outs must be provided, the strength of the door is measurably decreased, and such notches or cut-outs also detract from the appearance of the door and provide recesses for the collection of dust and dirt. Such companion hinges further permit only approximately a 90 opening of the door in one direction.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved door hinge which may serve. as a companion hinge for a gravity hinge, which is universal in its application, vand which may be readily attached to the doorand door frame below Y the lower edge of the' door and yet permit free vertical movement of the door' under action the gravity hinge.

Another object ofy this invention is to provide a sliding door hinge assembly which can be used for either right or left hand swinging doors and which permits a full '180 opening of the door.

A further object of this invention is to provide a sliding door hinge which'may be attached to substantially any door and associated door frame without defacing the door or' requiring a door of special construction to -receive the hinge, and which hinge is furthermore strongl andsturdy inconstruction, positive in operation, andV economical to manufacture and assemble. y

Other objects will become apparent as 'the dis--` closure proceeds. 1 ,y

Various other features and Vadvantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following particular description and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings. l f

Although thenovel features which are believed to be characteristic cf this invention-will be par-r ticularly pointed out in the claims "appended hereto,` the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be through the improved companion hinge assembly and the adjacent portions of the door andpilaster frame as it appears when looking inl the direction 0f the arrows 2 2 of Fig. l; v l Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional View through my improved hinge as it appears when looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3of Fig. 2j` v Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional View through my improved hinge and a section of the door to which it issecured as it appears when looking in the direction ofthe arrows 4-5 of Fig. 3v; Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view through my improved companion hinge andthe adjacent edges of the door land door frame, this hinge having a modified form of pilaster-attaching means associated therewith;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view 0f the sliding door hinge shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the sliding door hinge and the adjacent portions of the door and door frame, the hinge having amodiied means for securing the hinge to the door;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the sliding hinge assembly illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6; and

Figs. 9 to 12, inclusive, are diagrammatic illustrations of my improved sliding hinge assembly associated with both the right and left hand swinging doors; these views illustratingthe universal nature of the improved sliding hinge assembly. p I

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and the specification.

My improved sliding hinge assembly may be associated with substantially any type of door and door frame and is so designed that the same hinge can be positioned on either side of the door andi at either the right or left hand edge thereof. While it is especially adapted for use as a companion hinge to a gravity hinge assembly, it will be'appreciated that its use is not limited solely as a companion hinge to a gravity hinge but one or more of my improved sliding hinge assemblies may be used as the sole hinging means for the door.

For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in Fig. 1 one type of door and door frame with Iwhichmy improved sliding hinge assembly may be used. Fig. 1 illustrates fragmentary portions of a pair of spaced door frames or pilasters p which define therebetween a door opening which may be closed by the door d. The lower edge of the door is swingably supported upon a gravity hinge assembly gh and the upper edge of the door is swingably supported by means of my improved sliding hinge assembly sh which forms more particularly the subject matter of this invention. The door d may be locked by the provision of any suitable locking means, such as a latch Z. The door and door frame assembly illustrated in Fig. 1 is one type commonly used to provide a toilet stall or cubicle wherein it is desired to maintain the upper edge of the door approximately in alignment with the upper edge of the door frames or pilasters p when the door is normally in closed position.

While it will be appreciated that my improved sliding hinge assembly may be associated with any type of door and door frame, there is shown in the various figures of the drawings for purpose of illustration only one particular type of door frame or pilaster which may comprise spaced metal facing sheets I and 2, each having complementary inturned fianges 3 along the vertical `hinging edge and along the top horizontal edge thereof. The inturned fianges 3 of the facing sheets I and 2 here shown are each provided with outturned portions 4 which abut one another and laterally extending lip portions 5. The

facing sheets I and 2 are firmly secured together and 2 may be packed with suitable insulating material I so as to provide a substantially soundproof pilaster wall.

The door d, as illustrated in the drawings, may be constructed similarly to the pilaster frames P and may be made of the same thickness or greater or less thickness. Thus the door d may be formed from sheet metal facing sheets II and I2 each having inturned flanges I3 each terminating in outturned portions I4 which abut one another and which are secured together by externally applied welds x. The outturned portions I4 are provided with laterally extending lip pori tions I 5 spaced from the adjacent inturned ange portions I3 to provide a groove IQ therebetween. The vertical and horizontal edges of the door so Y formed may be covered by an edging strip II having inturned lip portions I8 which extend into grooves I9. The door thus constructed has fiush unbroken facing surfaces and an attractive edging which extends around all the edges of the door. The door may be packed with sound insulating material 20 positioned between the facing sheets II and I2.

While my improved sliding hinge assembly is admirably adapted for association with nush doors and pilaster frames of the type above described, it will be appreciated that my sliding hinge assembly may be associated with substantially all types of swinging doors and door frames, whether the doors are to be so suspended as to have vertical movement or to have no vertical movement.

Where the door is to have vertical movement, a gravity hinge gh, such as that generally illustrated in Fig. 1, may be provided. 'Such gravity hinges generally comprise a bracket portion 2I which is attached to the adjacent pilaster frame p and which supports a housing 22 which contains the elevating mechanism (not shown). A bracket portion 23 is attached to the lower edge of the door d, the bracket 23 having a spindle 24 projecting vertically therefrom, which extends into the housing 22 for engagement with the door elevating mechanism. Thus when the door d, as

this invention is particularly directed. comprises generally abracket section 30 which is suitably secured to the door frame or pilaster and a hinging section which is secured to the door. The bracket section 30 may be so formed that it can be conveniently secured to any type of door frame. Thus -the bracket section 30, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, may comprise a base portion 3l which seats flat against the face of the pilaster, such as the inturned flanges 3 thereof. The edging strip 1, thelip portions 5, and the outturned portions 4 may be cut away at this point so that the base portion3l may seat flatly against the inturned 'flanges 3. The base portion 3| may be xedly secured to the door frame orpilaster p by means of threaded screws 32 which extend through the The vertical edge of the pilaster may be suitably reinforced by a vertically extending channnel member 34, which is positioned between and abuts against the inside face of the metal facing sheets I and 2 and the flanges 3V thereof. The channel member 34 may 'be welded to the facing sheets I and 2 and the reinforcing bar 33 may also be welded to the channel member 34, so as to provide a strong and sturdy door frame.

A pair of vertically spaced wing portions 35 and 36 project laterally from the base portion 3| and are contoured so as to overlap the face of the door when the door is in normally closed position. The wing portions 35 and 36 are identical in form and contour and each may be provided with a head forming portion 3l of attractive form and contour. 33 may be joined by a vertically extending web portion 33 which extends laterally from the base portion 3l, the web portion 38 serving to stiffen and strengthen the wing portions 35 an'd 36. A hinge pin 39 of circular cross-section extends vertically between the wing portionsY 35 and 36 and is fixedly secured thereto as by brazing, welding or friction. Suitable aligned openings 40 may be provided in the Wing portions 35 and 36 to receive the ends of the hinge pin 39. The hinge pin 39 is positioned so as to vertically align with the hinge pin 24 of the gravity hinge gh. It will be noted by referring to Fig. l that the hinge pin 24 of the gravity hinge is offset to one side of the door to the same extent as the hinge pin 39.

The hinging section 59 comprises more particularly an eye-bolt 5I having a collar portion 52 which embraces the hinge pin 39. A suitable frictionless bushing 53 is positioned within the collar portion 52 and snugly receives the hinge pin 39. It will be noted that the collar portion 52 and bushing 53 are free to slide vertically on the hinge pin 39. The collar portion 52 is provided with a laterally extending neck portion 54 having an abutment portion 55 adapted to seat against the side face of the door. Suitable means are associated with the abutment portion 55' for securing the door thereto.

As shown for example in Figs. 2 and 5, a stud element 56 extends inwardly from theabutment portion 55 through a suitable opening in the adjacent face of the door. The stud element 56 may be provided with a threaded head portion 51 adapted to receive a suitable cap nut 58 which extends through a suitable aperture in the other side face of the door and is made to thread onto the head portion 51. The hinged edge of the door may be suitably reinforced as by a metal channel member 59 which may be positioned to abut against and be welded to the facing sheets I I and I2 and the inturned ange portions I3 of the door. By tightening the cap nut 58' the eye-bolt 5I may be rlxedly secured to the door;

To conceal the hinge pin 33 and the collar portion 52 from exterior view, these parts may be enclosed within a tubular metal sleeve BEI. The ends of the tubular sleeve 69 are closed by suitable metal caps 6I and 62 which are provided with concentric openings 63 through which the hinge pin 39 extends. Each of the caps 6I and 62 are suitably secured to the ends of tubular sleeve 60. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, each cap may be provided with a circular groove 64 into which the adjacent peripheral edge of the tubular sleeve 66 extends. It will be noted that the cap 6! is positioned adjacent the wing portion 35 while the cap 62 is positioned adjacent the Wing portion 35.

The' tubular sleeve 60 is provided with a ver;

ucauyextenemg slot es through which the neck f5 The spaced wing portions 35 and j portion 54 of the eye-bolt 5l extends. The tubular sleeve 6i] and its associated caps 3| and 62 are free to rotate about the hinge pin 39 so that the eye-'bolt 5I may be swung through a substantial angle of more than The tubular sleeve 60 and its closure caps 6I and 52 thus in no wai7 interfere with the free swinging movement of the eye-bolt 5I but serves to conceal the hinge pin 39, the collar portion 52 and its bushing 53. from exterior View. When the eye-bolt 5I is attached to the door, it will be noted that the vertically extending slot 35 in the tubular sleeve 66 is positioned relatively closely adjacent the face of the door and is thus substantially concealed fromv view. It will be further noted that the eye-bolt is free to slide' vertically upon the hinge pin 39, which movement is limited only by the vertical length of the slot 65, Whose length is defined by the' vertical distance between the adjacent edges of the spaced caps 6I and 62.

The bracket section 39 may be provided with any convenient means for attaching the same to the adjacent door frame or pilaster. Thus as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the base .portion 3l of the bracket section 36 may be provided with a pair of alterally spaced liange portions 4! between which the edge of the door frame or pilaster p is adapted to seat. The flange portions il may be provided with alignedA openings 42 through which suitable securing bolts may extend. Thus, as shown in Figs. 5 and G, a pair of threaded screw bolts 33 may be provided which extend through the openings l2 in one of the flange portions lI and through one face of the pilaster p, the screw bolts 33 being secured in position by cap nuts 44 which extend through the openings 42 in the other ilange portion 4I and through the other face of the pilaster p. The wing portions 35 and 36 of the bracket section 35' may be k given any desired decorative shape or contour and may be capped by formations 3l of any desired decorative shape or contour.

The hinging sections 56 may also be secured to the door by any desired securing means. As shown in Fig. 7, for example, the neck portion 54 of the eye-bolt 5I may be provided with a flat abutment` plate i9 integr-ally secured thereto and Y somewhat larger than the abutment portion 55 previously described. The plate i9 may be so shaped as to seatV at against the adjacent side face of the door and is rigidly secured to the door by a plurality of screws il extending through suitable apertures in the plate 79 and into threaded apertures provided in the door. Thus it will be appreciated that the eye-bolt 5I may have its neck portion 54 secured to the door, I

in any desired manner and that this invention is not limited to a particular attaching meansv illustrated in the drawings.

My improved sliding hinge assembly has universal application to doors mounted to'swing in any one of the four directions in which doors can be swung, as illustrated more particularly in Figs. 9 to 12, inclusive. The hinge can be secured to either the door frame or the door before shipment to the eld for erection or the hinge may be applied to the fram-e and door inthe held at the time of erection. Assuming that the door is mounted to swing as illustrated in Fig. 9, the bracket section 3) is iixed to the pilaster pwth the wing portion 35 thereof above the wing portion 36. If the door is to be mounted to swing as illustrated in Fig. 10, the bracket section 39 is ixed to` the door fr-ame or pilaster p with the Wingportion361` thereof above the. wing portion 35. If thedoor is to be mountedto swing as illustrated in Fig. 11, the bracket section 30 is attached to the pilaster p with the wing portion 36 above the'wing portion 35; and if the door is to be mounted to swing as illustrated in Fig. l2, the bracketv section 30 is securedl to the pilaster p with the wing portion 35 above the wing portionL 36. Since the entire hinge assembly is balanced in design and appearance, it ,can be inverted with either wing portion 35 or wing portion 36 uppermost without changing the visible appearance of the hinge assembly.

The neck portion vft of the hinge section 53 is attached to the door in such manner as to permit vertical elevation of the door if desired or to prevent vertical elevation of the door. For example, if no vertical elevation of the door is desired the door may be provided with two spaced hinge assemblies sh in which the neck portion 54 of the upper hinge assembly is positioned to abut the cap 6|, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, so as to prevent downward' movement of the door, and lthe neck portion 54 of the lower hinge assembly may be positioned to abut the cap 62 of this hinge assembly to prevent upward movement of the door. If my improved hinge assembly is associated with a gravity hinge, then the neck portion 54 of the sliding hinge assembly is positioned adjacent the cap 62, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, when the door is in its lowermost position, thus permitting vertical raising of the door by the gravity hinge, in which event the collar portion 52 will telescope upwardly over the stationary hinge pin 39.

It will now be appreciated that my improved hinge assembly may be used as a lcompanion hinge for a gravity hinge so that when properly secured to the door it will permit vertical movement of the door or, on the other hand, my improved hinge assembly may be used in combination or association with -a similar hinge or another hinge so attached to the door as to prevent vertical movement of the door. My improved hinge assembly is universal in its application and may be inverted or turned around so that it may be applied to a door to be mounted to swing either to the right or left and into a position substantially parallel with either side of the wall upon which the door is mounted. The hinge assembly is so constructed as to permit substantially 180 swinging movement of the mounted door. The doo:` frame-attaching section may beprovided with any type of securing means for securing the-same to any type of door frame orpilaster and likewise the eye-bolt 5l may be provided with any desired means for securing the same to almost any type of door. Neither the door frame no1` the door need be defaced or otherwise altered to permit attachment of the hinge assembly thereto. The hinge assembly is simple in design and comprises relatively few parts, can be sturdily lconstructed so as to have very long life in use, is substantially foolproof in operation, and may be made in numerous attractive designs and .patterns so as to add symmetry and beauty to the mounted door.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be.

made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: v 1. A hinge for swinging doors having a bracket portion for attachment to a door frame, spaced wing portions extending laterally from said bracket portion and positioned to overlap a side face of the door, a spindle extending between and supported by said wing portions, a collar embracing said spindle and slidable thereon, a stud extending from said collar having means associatedtherewith for attachment to a door, and a tubular sleeve embracing said spindle and collar to normally conceal the same from exterior View, said sleeve having a slot in the tubular wall thereof through which said stud projects.

2. A universal door hinge including, a door frame-attaching portion and a door-attaching portion of symmetrical design, said door frame attaching portion having spaced laterally projecting wings adapted to overlap a side face of the door, a spindle joining said wings, said doorattaching portion having a collar embracing said spindle and slidable thereon, a stud projecting laterally from said collar, means associated with said stud for attaching the same to the door, a tubular sleeve extending between said wings and embracing said collar and rotatable about said spindle, and a slot in said sleeve through which said stud projects.

-3. A universal door hinge including, a bracket portion adapted for attachment to a door frame and a bracket portion adapted for attachment to a door, said frame-attaching bracket portion having spaced wing portions projecting laterally therefrom and constructed to overlap a side face of the door, a spindle extending between and secured to said wing portions, the other bracket portion including a collar embracing said spindle and slidable thereon, an attaching element projecting from said collar, and a tubular sleeve embracing said collar and rotatable with respect to said spindle, said sleeve having a slot therein through which the neck portion of said attaching element extends.

4. A universal door hinge including, a bracket portion adapted for attachment to a door frame and a bracket portion adapted for attachment to a door, said frame-attaching bracket portion having a pair of spaced wing portions projecting laterally therefrom and constructed to overlap a side face of the door, a spindle extending between and secured to said wing portions, the other bracket portion including a collar embracing said spindle and. slidable thereon, an attaching element projecting from said co-llar, a tubular sleeve extending between said wing portions embracing said collar and rotatable with respect to said spindle, and caps closing the ends of said sleeve, said sleeve having a slot therein through which the neck portion of said attaching element extends.

5. A universal door hinge including, a bracket portion adapted for attachment to a door frame and a bracket portion adapted for attachment to a door, said frame-attaching bracket portion having a pair of spaced wing portions projecting laterally therefrom and constructed to overlap a side face of the door, a spindle extending between and secured to said wing portions, the other bracket portion including a collar embracingV said spindle, said collar having a length 'which is a fraction only of the length of said spindle whereby said collar is free to slide on said spindle, an attaching element projecting from said collar, a tubular sleeve embracing said collar and rotatable with respect to said spindle, said sleeve having a slot therein through which the neck portion of said attaching element extends.

6. An improved hinge adapted for attachment to a door and door frame and constructed to permit vertical movement of the door with respect to the frame, said hinge having a door frame-attaching portion, a pair of spaced wing portions projecting laterally from said attaching portion and constructed to overlap a side face of the door, a spindle extending between and secured to said wing portions, a collar embracing said spindle, a bearing member fixed to said collar and embracing said spindle to permit smooth sliding movement of said collar on said spindle, an attaching stud iixed to and projecting from said collar, means associated with said stud element for attaching the same to the door, and a tubular sleeve embracing said spindle and collar to normally conceal the same from exterior view, said sleeve having a slot in the tubular wall thereof through which said stud element projects.

'7. An improved hinge adapted for attachment to a door and door frame and constructed to permit vertical movement of the door with respect to the frame, said hinge having a door frame-attaching portion, a pair of spaced wing portions projecting from said attaching portion and constructed to overlap the side face of the door, a'spindle extending between and secured to said wing portions, a collar embracing said spindle, a bearing member fixed to said co1- lar. and embracing said spindle to permit smooth sliding movement of said collar on said spindle, an attaching stud fixed to and projecting from said collar, means associated with said stud element for attaching the same to the door, a tubular sleeve embracing said collar and rotatable with respect to said spindle, a closure cap at each end of said sleeve having aligned apertures therein through which said spindle extends, and

a relatively narrow slot in said sleeve through which said stud element projects.

8. An improved hinge adapted for attachment to a door and door frame and constructed to permit vertical movement of the door with respect to the frame, said hinge having a door frame-attaching portion, a pair of spaced wing portions projecting from said attaching portion and constructed to overlap the side face of the door, a spindle extending between and secured to said wing portions, a collar embracing said spindle, a bearing member fixed to said collar and embracing said spindle to permit smooth sliding movement of said collar on said spindle, an attaching stud fixed to and projecting from said collar, said stud having a threaded end adapted to extend into the door, and a cap nut extending into the opposite side of the door engaging said threaded end.

9. An improved door hinge including, a frameattaching bracket, a pair of spaced Wing portions projecting laterally from said bracket and constructed to overlap a side face of the door, a spindle extending betweeny and secured to said wing portions, a collar slidable on said spindle, a neck portion projecting from said collar, an abutment plate extending laterally from said neck portion adapted to abut the side face of the door, and means for securing said abutment plate to the door, said bracket portion, wing portions, coilar, neck portion and abutment plate being symmetrical in design whereby the hinge will present the same symmetrical appearance when attached to the door and door frame irrespective of the direction in which the door is hinged.

10. An improved hinge of symmetrical design adapted to be connected to a door and door fra-me including, a frame-attaching bracket, a pair of spaced wing portions projecting laterally from said bracket and constructed to overlap a side face of the door, a spindle extending between and secured to said wing portions, a collar slidable on said spindle, a neck portion projecting from said collar, an abutment plate extending laterally from said'neck portion adapted to abut the side face of the door, means for securing said abutment plate to the door, and a tubular sleeve rotatably embracing said collar and concealing said collar and spindle from exterior view, said sleeve having a slot therein through which said neck portion projects, said bracket portion, wing portions, sleeve and abutment plate being symmetrical in design whereby the hinge Will present the same symmetrical appearance when attached to the door and door frame irrespective of the direction in which the door is hinged.

11. An improved hinge of symmetrical design adapted to be connected to a door and door frame including, a frame-attaching bracket, spaced wing portions projecting laterally from said bracket and constructed tc overlap a side face of the door, a spindle extending between and secured to said wing portions, a collar slidable on said spindle, a neck portion projecting from said collar, an abutment portion extending laterally from said neck portion adapted to abut the side face of the door, means for securing said abutment portion to the door, a tubular sleeve embracing said collar, and caps closing the ends of said sleeve having aligned apertures therein permitting free rotation of` said sleeve and caps on said spindle, said sleeve having' a slot therein through which said neck portion projects, said bracket portion, wing portions, sleeve, caps and abutment portion being symmetrical in design whereby the hinge wil1 present the same symmetrical appearance when Aattached to the door and door frame irrespective of the direction in which the door is hinged.

THOMAS F. ANDERSON. 

